Sleep-promoting properties of quetiapine in healthy subjects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic, on polysomnographic sleep structure and subjective sleep quality. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study investigated the polysomnographic sleep structure and subjective sleep quality of 14 healthy male subjects given placebo, quetiapine 25 mg or quetiapine 100 mg. Volunteers were studied 3 times for 3 consecutive nights (N0, adaptation; N1, standard sleep conditions; N2, acoustic stress) 4 days apart. Treatment was administered orally 1 h before bedtime on nights 1 and 2. Quetiapine 25 mg and 100 mg significantly improved sleep induction and continuity under standard and acoustic stress conditions. Increases in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, percentage sleep stage 2 and subjective sleep quality were seen. A significant increase in periodic leg movements during sleep was observed with quetiapine 100 mg. The sleep-improving properties of quetiapine may be important in counteracting different aspects of psychopathology in schizophrenia and other disorders. These sleep-inducing and sleep-modifying properties are probably related to quetiapine's receptor-binding profile, including its antihistaminergic, antidopaminergic and antiadrenergic properties. Other mechanisms might be relevant as well and further investigation is required.

N-Desalkylquetiapine, a Potent Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor and Partial 5-HT1A Agonist, as a Putative Mediator of Quetiapine's Antidepressant Activity

“…Our findings have recently been confirmed in other studies (Silvestre and Prous, 2005), and in H 1 receptor knockout mice the mechanism has been traced to H 1 -mediated hypothalamic AMP kinase activation (Kim et al, 2007). Quetiapine is a histamine H 1 receptor antagonist with a K i of 11 nM, which induces weight gain (Allison et al, 1999) and has pronounced sedative effects (Cohrs et al, 2004;Thase et al, 2006). The current results show that its metabolite N-Desalkylquetiapine is a very potent H 1 antagonist with an affinity of 3.5 nM and is thus predicted to have weight gain liability.…”

Dispensed prescriptions for quetiapine and other second-generation antipsychotics in Canada from 2005 to 2012: a descriptive study

“…In a study of 18 healthy volunteers, all participants were exposed to placebo, quetiapine 25 mg and 100 mg on 2 consecutive nights separated by 4-day intervening washout periods. 36 Both doses of quetiapine showed an advantage in terms of increased total sleep time (by 30-45 min) and reduced sleep onset latency under noisy conditions (by 15-20 min). However, among patients taking quetiapine, time to achieve slow wave sleep was delayed, and quetiapine was associated with more periodic limb movements.…”

Effects of quetiapine on sleep architecture in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression

“…18,19 Low doses of quetiapine alter the sleep architecture of healthy individuals. 20,21 Somnolence is a side effect of quetiapine treatment, leading to prescription in an off-label fashion when this side effect is desired. 22 The somnolence effect of quetiapine is thought to arise from its 5-HT 2 and H 1 receptor blockade capabilities, similar to those of medications used as sedatives, including the antidepressants mirtazapine, trazodone, and trimipramine.…”